Agnikul Cosmos, an Indian space-tech startup has successfully test-fired the world’s first single-piece, 3D-printed rocket engine. The engine ‘Agnilet’ was test-fired at the ISRO’s lead center for the development of launch vehicles, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre.
The test was conducted on 4th November by firing the engine for 15 seconds at its Vertical Test Facility. The test was supported by India Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and IN-SPACe, the country’s nodal agency for promoting and regulating space-tech players.
A major milestone for 3D printing technology in India
It is the world’s first single-piece 3D-printed rocket engine fully designed and manufactured in India.
Srinath Ravichandran, co-founder & CEO of Agnikul, explained, “The novelty here is that the entire rocket engine is 3D printed from top to bottom. What comes out of the 3D printer can directly be used in the rocket. There is no complexity in assembly or fabrication, and the turnaround time is less than four days,”
The goal behind the test was to verify that rocket engines can be made as a single piece of hardware
Recently the startup has declared that they have been awarded the patent for the design and manufacturing of their single-piece rocket engines by the Government of India.
Srinath said, “This is an unforgettable moment for all of us here at Agnikul,”
He added, “Besides validating our in-house technology, this is also a huge step in understanding how to design, develop and fire rocket engines at a professional level. We are incredibly thankful to IN-SPACe and ISRO for making this happen. Also grateful to the Indian Government for having made such efforts possible by the creation of IN-SPACe,”
